“Fine.” I make it sound like I don’t want to do it, but I’m glad she considers me her safe space. And…I would do anything for her.
She taps on the first question. “Are you ready?”
I nod in response, and she hits record. As soon as I see the question, I shake my head.
Who is the cutie next to you?
She laughs, but responds. “This is my best friend, Beau. I’ve known him forever, and we’ve been through thick and thin together.”
I give a small wave. Honestly, I didn’t think I would be the topic of a question, but I’ll play along. For her.
Next question. What is your favorite wine?
Piper holds up her glass and hits the record button. “Our sangria is my absolute favorite. It’s also one requested by customers at our winery. If you want to try it out, you can come down to Starlit Fields or visit Out of the Ashes. They keep bottles in stock for their patrons.”
We spend about thirty minutes answering questions. Well, not so much me. I’m merely there for support, and to get the food. It showed up mid answer and she explained what I was doing while still keeping the focus on the wine. Maybe Out of the Ashes will get more business with her shout outs.
Piper was right when she said fans of the winery want to hear from them. I think it adds a personal touch to the business. If the customers get to know you, they’re more likely to buy from you. Now we need her brother to realize it.
Piper finally gets to the last question and sets her phone down on the table. “That was epic.”
“You did amazing.” It’s not a lie. She’s a natural on camera and I wish her family could see it. She needs to be the social media face for the winery.
Without realizing what’s happening, she leans over and her lips crash into mine. Holy shit. Piper Summers is kissing me in a more than friendly way.
five
. . .
piper
It takesme at least a minute to realize what I’ve done. Of course, I’ve probably ruined our friendship. I immediately pull back and bury my face in my hands.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry.” Beau reaches for me and I scoot away from him. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Piper, it’s fine.” His voice is calm. That’s a good sign. Doesn’t mean I don’t feel like I overstepped a boundary.
His hands circle my wrists as he tries to pull my hands from my face. Too bad it’s not happening. There’s no way I’m letting him see the embarrassment I feel right this second. If the ground opens up and swallows me whole, I’ll be completely fine with it.
I turn in the other direction planning my escape. In the years we’ve been friends, Beau has seen me do a lot of dumb things, but this takes the cake. There’s no excuse for me kissing him. Especially when I don’t even know how he feels about me.
I move to get off the couch, but Beau’s voice stops me.
“Damn it, Piper, would you look at me?”
It’s not the words that make me turn toward him. It’s the frustration in his voice. I’ve never shut him out like this. He didn’t even do anything wrong. It was me.
The pain in his eyes breaks my heart. It shouldn’t since I’m the one who put it there.
“I don’t know what came over me, Beau. I really am sorry.”
He grabs my hand and laces his fingers through mine. An action we’ve done hundreds of times since we were teens, but this time it feels…different. Or, maybe it’s just me.
“If you think one kiss is going to make me question our friendship, you don’t know me at all.”
“That’s not what I think.” It’s partially true. Do I think I screwed things up between us? Yes. But I know that’s fixable over time.
“Why were you trying to run away?” He gives my hand a squeeze. “You don’t run unless you’re scared. Hell, even then, I’ve never seen you run.”
